A private school in northwest Washington state has flipped the idea of a "snow day" on its head, giving students the day off because administrators decided the weather's too nice to sit in a classroom.

Bellingham Christian School, just south of the B.C. border, cancelled classes Wednesday to give students a chance to enjoy the sunny, warm weather.

"Yes, it's a Sun Day! Wahooo," read a notice on the school website. "That's right, school is cancelled today due to good weather! Enjoy!"

Principal Bob Sampson told a local paper the school usually loses at least one day to snowy conditions each winter, but the mild weather meant no such cancellations this year.

He said it meant the school could afford to give the kids a bonus day off, to celebrate spring and "just for fun."

Two staff members would be on site for those needing child care on the surprise holiday, said the notice.

via www.theprovince.com

B.C. school districts have found themselves burdened with $38.1-million in cost pressures that the provincial budget will not cover this year. The B.C. Teachers' Federation says that teacher layoffs and program cuts will likely be made to cover the costs, which include:

• $23.1-million to meet teacher pension increases of 1.04 per cent
• $6.4-million to calculate carbon output and purchase carbon offsets
• $3.3-million to meet pay increases of skilled trade employees like plumbers and electricians
• $2.9-million to cover medical service plan premiums
• $2.4-million to pay for hydro rate increases

via www.theglobeandmail.com